How to Look Expensive (in the summer)

[diamondsandrose]

Please can we resurrect my favourite EVER thread, but with a summer twist?

I think I'm pretty stylish in cooler weather but struggle in the heat.

I know the usual drill ..natural fabrics, linen cotton silk in neutral colours. Light tan courtesy of gradual tanner. Tan real leather sandals. Straw or heavy cotton beach bag. No gaudy colours or prints. No bra strap showing under vests.

But I still feel I don't look as good as I could if I tried a bit harder! I get freckly and I think that stops me looking expensive!

Please tell me your tips and stories of fab expensive looking stylish people you've seen on holiday

I really love this...

https://www.meandem.com/summer-trench-coat-khaki

@ethelfleda it sounds like the neutral colour scheme suggested in the thread would suit you. So olive greens, navy, white, black, some tan accessories? I am a similar size to you just a few inches taller. I would buy some long flowy skirts and wide leg trousers and wear these with fitted tops, and some slimmer cropped trousers to wear with looser fitting shirts. Some great trousers and shirts are recommended earlier in the thread if you browse through.

Congratulations for your baby!

Hi ethelfleda I'm 5'7" too and a 10/12, not olive-skinned, though. I would choose a simple colour palette that suits you for a capsule wardrobe that you can always add to. What's your body shape, because that will determine the style of clothes that suit you best. I agree with LandOfOddSocks loose flowy skirts/trousers with fitted tops and slim, cropped trousers with looser shirts would make a great basis for a wardrobe. On cooler days you could always add a thin jacket or cardigan, you can always wear a loose shirt as an extra layer over a vest or t-shirt too.

Love that trench LandOfOddSocks, that olive is not so great on me.

Meant to say that a shirt over a vest or t-shirt is easy for breathe Edington too. congratulations on your baby too.

*breastfeeding not sure what happened to the autocorrect there.

I had a 15% discount code so have ordered it @quirkychick telling myself that it's just to try on but I think I'll struggle to send it back!

I think I have a me&em discount code too .

Thank you - that sounds great! This thread has made me realise how NOT expensive I have been dressing. I like the combo of either fitted top but flowy bottoms or the other way around.
Body shape - hard to explain - have always been an apple but the new bust from bf'ing has balanced me out a bit

And thanks for the congrats!

Sorry - not appple shaped - I meant pear shaped - weight is usually around my bum and thighs!

Has anyone seen any nice midi dresses in the shops lately? Preferably something strappy and summery on the top. Plain with no patterns though. Ideally something not too expensive if poss 👍🏻

@FeeseAndChickle warehouse have some great summer dresses. Simple but nicely cut, not too fussy.

ethelfleda the fitted on top and flowy bottoms (that sounds wrong, somehow) might be particularly good, though I'm not an expert on dressing for pear shapes, I'm more boyish with wider shoulders. I would have thought anything that emphasised a smaller top half/waist would be good. Hopefully, someone will come along who knows more than me. I remember all my pre pg tops seemed too short when bfing, as they rode up due to bigger bust. I also went back to pre pg weight after stopping bf both times, as my body seemed to hold onto the extra weight until I'd finished.

Thank you Ella, I'll have a look

Thanks quirky I think we have to keep a layer of fat to fuel milk production and it's an excuse to have more cake

I've order some bits from H&M actually. I'm not sure what they will be like. Some beige chinos (I always wear jeans and feel scruffy) some chino shorts, a silky blouse and a loose fitting cotton blouse. Also order some tan leather sandals and a tan leather belt. Just need to get the gradual tanner for my legs now!

Strikeout fail there!

FeeseAndChickle this dress from Next is lovely.

Oh it's lovely Mcnab, and such a great price too 👍🏻

ethelfleda whilst I was breastfeeding I wore these literally every day:

http://www2.hm.com/engb/productpage.0534164001.html?gclid=CjwKCAjw3cPYBRB7EiwAsrc-uZDss_AR5rvR81Hy0XkJsrhobCqybzXDKPJJk1nLHC6uzo65ubLAjRoCJ-4QAvDDBwE&skwcid=AL!850!3!269343299007!!!g!367116984400!&effid=VlrHgQAAANsA4j0g:20180601084251:s

(basically a vest top, long enough to tuck in, with built in support (though not a huge amount), and clip-down bits at the bottom of the shoulder straps). Meant you could wear any other top over them, pull that one up whilst still keeping your tummy covered, and then unclip and pull down to breastfeed - you're still covered top and bottom.

If you're a pear I'd actually try the other way round - more fitted on the bottom half (skinnier/slim jeans/trousers) and then looser/more bulk on top. I'm a pear (hourglass when breastfeeding tho! ) and quite like boxy, almost cropped tops (which everyone else hates!), as then my waist (still small) can give me more of an hour-glass effect.

Just wanted to update on my quest for a good linen shirt... ended up getting this one from M&S in pale pink and blue and dark blue during the 20% off Sparks promo last week (also treated myself to some fab silver brogues) and they're perfect! I did try the Uniqlo ones but found the fabric a bit scratchy and they didn't hang as nicely. My only criticism would be that the dark blue one is describe as navy which I don't think it really is.

@ThenCameTheFools I haven't got a tape but if you are 5ft 10" I think you will be fine with it. I am 5ft 8" and I have to pull it up - the waist can go right up to my bust line or be folded over. It's like the waist on the hush hareems.

Excellent, thank you, I think I'm going to treat myself.

These are the Next version of the Menorcan sandals. I love them, so comfy and the brighten up any outfit. Still hankering after the originals in leopard print with coral back strap but after shelling out for fit flops I can't justify buying anymore shoes right now!

Thank you chester but I can't get the link to work?

I'm a pear (hourglass when breastfeeding tho! wink)

Same here - am delighted with my new 'assets'

I've made a few purchases this week - DD dragged me into Primark (I never go in there as the huge queues put me off) and after looking everywhere for some decent white t shirts I bought three (a fitted v neck, slouchy scoop neck & boxy linen-look one). They fit really well and aren't see through and were £2.50 each .

I also got some Sainsburys Tu Girlfriend Jeans after hearing good things about them - and I'm so pleased with them, they fit perfectly and are good thick denim so really flattering to my sizeable arse!

Anyway today I went out in my Sainsburys jeans, Primark T and tan sandals & tote and was told I looked 'really posh' by a friend I bumped into

I want to look really posh!